LEADER Clare Turner
A At the heart of retail Also by Lema Publishing
TableWare INTERNATIONAL
t the time of going to first national lockdown, Barclaycard Payments press, England’s route out (which processes nearly £1 in every £3 of lockdown remains on spent in the UK) released new research schedule, with Prime Minister Boris identifying the biggest shifts in consumer Johnson declaring we’re “continuing behaviour which have emerged as a result of along our roadmap to freedom”. the pandemic. Speaking to the virtual Conservative One finding reveals that almost two-thirds Party spring conference, Boris said of shoppers have been choosing to shop he was looking forward to “unlocking closer to home to support their communities. our economy and getting back to Shopping locally is set to be a lockdown the life we love”. But he legacy, the report concludes, warned that while we are with 91% of Brits who have been High in a different world from shopping locally throughout the streets are last spring, there was a pandemic saying they will keep need to be “honest about doing this to support smaller and hoping the difficulties ahead”. The consumers independent businesses, even after watchword in government all restrictions end. swap their remains ‘cautious’. Another major positive for Toy shop owners are toy traders is the news that two slippers for no doubt breathing a exhibitions of interest are set trainers as big sigh of relief and to return in a live show format they start to counting down the days later this year. Home and Gift in until they can finally Harrogate will be held from 18 hit the shops reopen their doors on the July to 21 July and while not a KPMG UK Head of scheduled date of 12 April major show for toys, it does have Retail Paul Martin (at the earliest). some toy element. More relevant is This mood is reflected Autumn Fair, which has a toy hall among retailers we’ve and will return to NEC Birmingham spoken to in this issue. Many are from 5 September to 8 September. It will be concerned about the months ahead interesting to see how willing retailers are to and the post-lockdown timeframe visit an exhibition - fingers crossed! changing again, while others are Of course of great interest to TnP readers is worried about consumer confidence the Toymaster Show, which was due to take and the possibility that customers place next month but has been postponed. may be reluctant to go out. But all The next event is planned for 17-19 May 2022 are wholeheartedly looking forward at the usual venue of The Majestic Hotel to shoppers returning to their stores in Harrogate. Explaining the decision, the - and have invested heavily to make Toymaster Board said: “The Toymaster May their premises Covid-secure. Show is renowned within the industry, and we As KPMG UK Head of Retail feel the Show will be a much better success Paul Martin comments: “With the when we know our members and suppliers are Government’s roadmap out of able to attend safely once again.” lockdown in place and the vaccine Although we’re all missing the opportunity rollout moving at pace, there is finally to see and feel new toy products and make light at the end of the tunnel for nonthose personal connections that are so unique essential retailers. High streets are to a trade show setting, I’m sure you will agree hoping consumers swap their slippers that this cautious approach by Toymaster is for trainers as they start to hit the the right one for our industry. shops. All hopes will be pinned on For me, it’s been a disappointment that I consumers wanting to break free from can’t meet you personally yet. With that in home to browse the stores that have mind, I’d love for you to get in touch. You been out of bounds for months.” can link up with me via LinkedIn or email me And there’s more good news for at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk. I look forward independents. Exactly a year after the to hearing from you!
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